Mark Luigi Dacumos
It’s a myth that eating healthy has to be expensive. If you want proof, just look at a study by the Journal of Hunger & Environmental Nutrition that found people who do the vegetarian diet could save $750 per year.
How can becoming a vegetarian save so much cash? Because research shows that plant-based diets don’t include costly animal proteins.
The Benefits of Eating Vegetarian Food
As for the health benefits of going vegetarian, here are just a few:
- Lower body mass index
- Smaller waist circumference
- Less abdominal fat
- Lower risk of coronary heart disease
- Less plaque in your arteries
- Decreased cholesterol
- Lower blood sugar
- Reduced mortality rate
- Lower risk of cancer
Now that you see the money-saving and health-boosting benefits of doing the vegetarian diet, it’s time to look at ways to minimize your costs.
Tips To Save Money on a Vegetarian Diet
Shop Locally
Huge grocery chains can be more expensive than local produce stands and farmers’ markets. Shop for your vegetarian supplies at smaller local options, and you’ll not only save, but you’ll probably find better quality ingredients and skip large crowds.
Buy in Bulk
Pre-packaged bags of foods like beans, lentils, and oatmeal can cost more than getting those items out of a bulk bin. Whatever you buy in bulk, be sure to store it properly so it won’t spoil.
Search for Affordable Recipes
It seems like everyone’s trying to save money nowadays, especially when it comes to food. Search for cheap vegetarian recipes online, and you can make delicious meals without breaking the bank.
Cook at Home
Can you find vegetarian options at restaurants? Sure, but you’ll pay a premium for having someone else prepare your food. For this reason, it’s better to cook at home. It’ll save you money and be better for your goals since you’ll know exactly what you’re putting into your body.
Skip Meat Substitutes
They can be convenient, but you’ll pay more for meat substitutes versus veggies that could provide a similar flavor.
Keep an Eye Out for Sales
When you see a sale, stock up, especially if it’s on a vegetarian item you use frequently.
Grow Your Veggies
It doesn’t take a ton of space to start your own garden. By supplying your food, you’ll save with ease.
Pick Frozen Over Fresh
You should find that frozen veggies are cheaper than fresh ones, so don’t be afraid to visit the store’s freezer when shopping. Speaking of freezers, use the one in your kitchen to store all of those extra items you buy during sales. It’ll keep them fresher, longer. And if you have leftovers, don’t be afraid to freeze them too. It’ll save you a ton of time and money.
Stick To Your List
You should always go shopping with a list. If not, you’ll spend more time in the store, and you’ll probably end up spending more money than you’d like.
Make it a rule to stick to your list. If something’s not on it, don’t buy it. In doing so, you’ll save money by avoiding expensive impulse purchases.
Shop When You’re Full
This may be the biggest money-saving tip of all, as shopping when you’re hungry is a surefire way to waste money.
